Stirring the Pot

Have you ever heard the phrase “stirring the pot?” I have been thinking about that phrase lately, and guess what I did? I looked for a definition and found one online. The phrase stirring the pot means someone who loves to rapidly increase the tension and drama between two or more parties. Have you ever met someone like this?

I can tell you that I have been in places where stirring the pot is the rule rather than the exception. I have been in places where rumors are started and the pot stirrer stands back to admire the stirring. It may seem funny at the time, but when you consider the possibility of damaged relationships and hurt feelings, the results can be devastating.

You know life is tough enough without this kind of “help.” There are real challenges and opportunities to focus on rather than the wasteful actions of stirring things up. You know it just seems to me that it is so much better to build things up rather than tear them down. Doesn’t that make sense? Ephesians 4:29 tells us; “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

The next time we encounter a stirring of the pot there is something we can do. There are ways to minimize the impact and build up.

First, we can try something called positive gossip – it is not really gossip at all, but is actually choosing to make a positive statement about the topic at hand. It is finding the silver lining, living the cup half full life. It is learning to be content by faith; to rejoice in all circumstances. Do you notice how people stirring the pot can never seem to stir enough? They feed off of the damage they create. What would happen if we were to feed off of positivity? Your positive words have an impact that goes beyond our expectations.

Second, we can communicate. If there is a stirring, ask someone about it, get the facts and don’t let unfounded information fester into something more serious.

Third, we can be forward looking. With vision we can see the potential, we can choose not to wallow in the muck and mire, but look up to the opportunity of our only true hope; Jesus Christ.

Finally, we can truly help to be kingdom builders. We can work together, pull together, and move together to make things better; we can spur and encourage. You if we really stop and think about it, isn’t that what Christ does for each of us?

Hebrews 10:23-25 shows us the way; “23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Grace and Peace!